Fence stretcher



Patented May 26, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FENCE STRETCHER ArthurThorsbakken, Alden, Iowa I Application Au ust 21, 1950, Serial No.180,548

3 Claims.

This invention relates to devices for stretchin wire fencing beforesecuring it to the posts, and it relates more particularly to animproved clamp for engagement with the fencing, said clamp being adaptedfor connection with a block and tackle, a tractor or other pulling meansto transmit the required pull to the fencing.

The principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, light,strong, durable, safe and efiective clamp which may be more easilyhandled than conventional bolt-contracted clamps, and may be easilyapplied and released without the use of a wrench.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clamp which may beeasily and inexpensively manufactured from lengths of standard metalstock welded together.

With the above and other objects in view that will become apparent asthe nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists inthe novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter morefully described, shown in the accompanying drawing, and claimed.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the clamp,

Figure 2 is an edge view, and

Figures 3, 4, and 5 are horizontal sectional views on thecorrespondingly numbered lines of Figure 1.

A preferred construction has been shown in the drawing and will berather specifically described, but variations may be made within thescope of the invention as claimed.

Two channel bars 6 and I are provided for disposition at opposite sidesof the fencing, the open sides of said channel bars being disposedoutwardly. Longitudinal rods 8 and 9 are welded to the closed innersides 6 and 1- of the bars 6 and 1, respectively, and are disposed inintermeshing relation with each other to tightly grip the fencing, therebeing preferably one rod on bar 6 and two rods on bar I. The open sidesof the channel bars 6 and I are spanned by centrally located elongatedplates I and II, respeetively, said plates being welded to the outeredges of the side flanges I2 and 13 of said bars. A chain (not shown) ispassed around the central portions of the two bars 6 and l and theplates Ill and H to connect the clamp with a tractor or other pullingmeans, and said plates effectively reinforce this zone of stress of theclamp.

Upper and lower U-shaped yokes l4 and I straddle the two bars 6 and 1,near the ends of these bars. The two side arms ll; of each of theseyokes are welded to the side flanges l2 of the bar 6, and thearm-connecting portions I! of said yokes are spaced outwardly from theopen side of the bar 1. Upper and lower wedges l8 and I9 are cooperablewith the arm-connecting portions l1 and are welded to the outer edges ofthe side flanges [3 of bar I, said wedges having uniform inclination inthe same direction. Thus, relative endwise movement of the two bars 6and l in one direction will cause inward movement of said bars to clampthe fencing, and relative endwise movement of said bars 6 and 1 in theother direction will cause release of the clamp from the fencing. Whenthe clamp is disconnected from the pulling means and released, the bar 1and its wedges l8 and I9 may be bodily withdrawn from the yokes l4 andI5 of the bar 6, permitting quick and easy removal of the entire clamp.It may then be re-assembled and stored conveniently, or re-assembled inoperative relation with another reach of the fencing, as required.

In order to tighten the clamp, it is simply necessary to drive the bar Idownwardly with respect to the bar 6; and to release said clamp, saidbar I is again driven upwardly. These driving operations may be effectedwith any kind of hand tool or even with a stone, and the ends of bar Iare preferably provided with welded-on anvil blocks 20 upon which todeliver the clamp applying and releasing blows. The thick ends 21 of thewedges I8 and I9 may also be struck, if desired, to aid in tighteningthe clamp, and at least one of the thin ends of said wedges mayconstitute a shoulder 22 which may be struck, if desired, to assist inloosening the clamp. Each of these wedges is preferably constructed fromseparate pieces of metal welded together as shown.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that novel construction has beenprovided for attaining the desired ends, and while preferences have beendisclosed, attention is again invited to the possibility of makingvariations.

I claim:

1. In a fence stretcher, one clamping bar for disposition at one side ofthe fencing, U-shaped yokes the side arms of which straddle and arerigidly secured to said bar, the arm-connecting portions of said yokesbeing outwardly spaced from the fence-engaging side of said one bar, anda second clamping bar for disposition at the other side of the fencing,said second bar extending slidably between said side arms of each ofsaid yokes and being inwardly spaced from said armconnecting portions ofsaid yokes, and wedges rigidly secured to said second bar, said wedgesextending longitudinally of the bar and being slidably received betweensaid side arms and contacting slidably with the inner sides of saidarmconnecting portions, said wedges and said arm connecting portionshaving uniform inclination in the same direction, whereby relativeendwise Sliding of said bars in one direction will cause movement ofsaid bars toward each other and vice versa.

2. A stm-1cture-*v as; specified" in claim": 1; said second bar-being achannel banwithits open side disposed outwardly, said wedges spanningsaid open side of said channel bar and being secured to the side flangesof said channel bar.

3. A structure as specified in claim- 1"; said second bar being achannel bar with-its open side, L5,

disposed outwardly, said wedges spanning said 4 open side of saidchannel bar and being secured to the side flanges of said channel bar,and a substantially central elongated plate spanning said open side ofsaid channel bar and secured 5 to said side flanges of said channel bar.

ARTHUR THORSBAKKEN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNiTED STATEsaPATENTS mNumber Name" Date 802,435 Van Oct. 24, 1905 968,998 Steuart Aug. 30,1910 bQQJ-Afl: Mahan May 19, 1914 1,248,529 Nolin et a1. Dec. 4, 19171282517B Bradford Sept. 24, 1931 1,859,812,. Wiley; May 24, 1932

